2009 Machine Shop Market Profile – Part Two
Our story so far: • GM declares bankruptcy. • Chrysler emerges FROM bankruptcy. • Congress passes the Consumer Assist & Save Act of 2009 (Also known as H.R. 2346. Also known as “Cash for Clunkers”). • GM emerges from bankruptcy. • Ford pledges millions to help auto parts supplier Visteon emerge from ITS bankruptcy. Just
Big R Show Features Training Workshops from RIT
The Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Center for Remanufacturing, Resource Recovery will be presenting four training workshops during the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association’s (APRA) International Big R Show in Las Vegas on October 31 – November 2, 2009. Automotive parts remanufacturing is becoming more competitive every year. Progressive remanufactures are always looking for new ways
Industry Associations Oppose ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Proposals
Why We Think “Cash For Clunkers” Should Be Scrapped Let’s face it; concern over the environment is a very important thing. Who doesn’t want to keep the world clean for future generations? Until those colonies on the Moon and Mars that we’ve been promised materialize, we’ve only got this one world and we need to
Time for Chains: Stock and Performance Timing Sets
Timing chains and gears are engine parts that are usually replaced when an engine is rebuilt. Over time, gear teeth wear and chains stretch. This can cause noise, retarded valve timing (and ignition timing if the engine also has a cam-driven distributor), and a noticeable loss of performance and fuel economy. A new timing chain,
Up-Selling in a Down Market
Do you ever wonder what’s next? First gas prices climb to more than $4.50 per gallon and everyone is dumping their gas-guzzlers. A couple of months later gas free-falls to $1.50 a gallon, but no one cares because people are being laid off in record numbers. Our major investment banks go bust, the credit system
APRA to Expand Education Program at BIG R Show
The Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) has expanded the education program at this year’s BIG R Show, according to APRA President Bill Gager. All seminars, as well as the exposition, will be held in the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on November 1-3, 2008. Below are the seminars and workshops currently scheduled: •
Diesel Cylinder Head Rebuilding
If you have ever tried to start most diesel engines in cold weather, you know that you have to have an engine heater, or you have to have a starting aid like starting fluid. These engines most commonly did not have a computer, and the fuel pressure would be in the range of around 3,000
Manufacturer Tech Tip: How Do You Clean Your Aluminum Intake Manifold?
Edelbrock intake manifolds are manufactured from a sand cast process utilizing 808 aluminum alloy and have an as-cast wheel-a-brated finish. As-cast is defined as a raw aluminum finish without any protective coating. As-cast aluminum is porous and can absorb under-hood chemicals such as dirt, grease and fuel, resulting in discoloration, rust, or staining. All Edelbrock
Still The Same Old Grind?
The market for crankshaft grinding has changed a great deal in recent years. With many passenger car and light truck engines now lasting upward of 200,000 miles, there’s much less demand for grinding crankshafts than there used to be. By the time the engine needs major work, the vehicle has often depreciated to the point
Surface Conditioning Disc Caution
When cleaning engine gasket sealing surfaces, and/or cleaning engine components which are to be reused; surface conditioning discs (typically constructed of woven fiber or molded bristles) which contain abrasives, such as a high amount of Aluminum Oxide, are NOT recommended. The use of such surface condtioning disks dislodges Aluminum Oxide (from the disc) and metal
Shop Solutions: June 2008
How To Handle Engine Diagnostic Nightmares Automotive machine shops are being asked more than ever to help diagnose engine related problems by a variety of customers. Repair shops, car dealers, parts suppliers and DIY’s are all in need of input from machine shop personnel. Two problem areas we see today frequently involve auto manufacturers designs
Shop Solutions: May 2008
Installing Cam Bearings In Vintage Engines I have found that building vintage engines can be fun and also challenging, especially the very early engines where assembly information was somewhat limited. Here is a suggestion that may be helpful when installing cam bearings in vintage engines: Save the old cam bearings, especially if the engine will
Cutting Tools and Abrasives
One of tricks of the trade of machining engine parts is choosing the right cutting tool or abrasive for that particular job. Different metals have different machinability characteristics. A cutting tool or abrasive that works well on one application may not work so well on another application. Years ago when most engine parts were
Mid-Range Diesels: Going the Distance
While it may seem that we’re constantly asking you, the reader, to give us detailed information about your business, the truth is, details are what make this business interesting. In that respect, following the February issue of Engine Builder, a cross-section of readers were asked for their opinions on a number of topics, ranging from
Diagnosing Idle Surges on Subaru Legacy Models
By Eric Seifert ALLDATA Automotive Technical Editor Steve enjoys mountain biking, and his 2001 Subaru Legacy has no problem getting him to the mountains and back. Yet it doesn’t like to commute. Steve called me after work one day to inquire about a surging problem the Legacy has had for a while. He said that
Shop Solutions: March 2008
Debunking the 10 x 10 Crankshaft Myth for Customers We’ve heard a lot of customers say they need a .010? x .010? undersize grind crank because “the vehicle will be towing a lot of weight” or “this guy drives his car/truck real hard” or “this boat runs at high rpms and I don’t want to
Blueprint For Success: Shop Layouts to Boost Efficiency
Anyone who’s in the engine rebuilding business today knows that to be profitable your shop has to be productive. Whether you’re a production engine rebuilder or a small custom engine shop, the rules are the same. If your shop can produce quality work quickly and efficiently, you’ll make more money than competitors who can’t.
Shop Solutions: January 2008
Crankshaft Thrust Failure – Ford 5.0L (302 CID) V8 Some 1982-’90 Ford 302 V8 engines may have insufficient torque convertor to crankshaft clearance. This may result in a metallic noise caused by flexing of the torque convertor, allowing the convertor to contact the flywheel bolts. This can also lead to damage to the crankshaft and
New Metals-New Challenges
Cast iron is like an old familiar friend to most of our readers because it’s been around forever. Vehicle manufacturers like cast iron because it’s cheap compared to most other metals, it is strong and durable, and it can be easily cast and machined to make engine blocks, cylinder heads, crankshafts, connecting rods and other
The Ups And Downs Of Valves
It’s always good to take a fresh look at some of the many engine components we work with. Rather than being lulled into complacency, the idea is to see what’s new, what trends are in play and to get a current reading from others on the inside. In other words, it’s good to keep it